Krista Nazaire Brings Heart and Humor to Horror in Hell of a Summer

Canadian actress Krista Nazaire is stepping into the spotlight with Hell of a Summer, a bold new horror-comedy directed by Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk, set to hit theaters nationwide on April 4th. The film cleverly balances slasher thrills with sharp comedic timing, and Krista’s performance stands out as a character who defies the usual genre expectations. Starring alongside Fred Hechinger, Finn Wolfhard, and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Krista plays Shannon, a role that combines vulnerability, grit, and unexpected depth.

The film centers around 24-year-old camp counselor Jason Hochberg, played by Hechinger, who arrives at Camp Pineway expecting his biggest challenge to be fitting in with his teenage co-workers. What he doesn’t realize is that a masked killer is lurking in the shadows, targeting counselors one by one. In the middle of this chaos is Shannon—played by Krista—who emerges as more than just a love interest or comic relief.

For Krista, preparing for the role meant digging deep into Shannon’s psyche.

“To really connect with my character, I had to dig into the why behind her decisions—especially the ones that might seem questionable,” she shares. “When someone’s in a high-stress, terrifying situation, their instincts kick in, and I was more interested in exploring that messy, very human side of her than trying to play into the comedy.”

Rather than portraying a typical horror trope, Krista aimed to make Shannon feel like someone real—a young woman whose choices, though imperfect, stem from a place of emotional truth.

The blend of comedy and horror was part of what initially drew Krista to the project.

“The script was such a wild mix of laugh-out-loud moments and genuinely creepy scenes,” she says. “Billy Bryk and Finn Wolfhard wrote it in such a smart and fresh way. I remember flipping through the pages for the first time and thinking, “This is something special.”

Despite her initial nerves about joining a comedic ensemble, she found that the chemistry on set made the experience seamless. Shannon’s dry humor came naturally, and Krista leaned into it while staying grounded in the emotional reality of the character’s situation.

Switching between genres is nothing new for Krista, who also stars in the comedy series Ghosting. Navigating between horror-comedy and unscripted paranormal chaos has sharpened her versatility as an actress.

“Unscripted comedy is a whole different game,” she explains. “There’s no script, no character to hide behind. It’s just you, reacting in real time. That rawness ended up being where the comedy came from.”

Krista’s path to success hasn’t followed the traditional Hollywood blueprint. From pitching herself online to seizing every opportunity that came her way, she’s built her career through sheer determination and resourcefulness.

“There’s no set path to follow—no ladder to climb step by step,” she reflects. “A lot of the time, it can feel like you’re just waiting for someone to give you a shot. But if the momentum isn’t there, you can’t always wait around for it—you’ve got to create it yourself.”

That drive and openness to new experiences have led to some unforgettable moments on set—particularly while filming Ghosting.

“I honestly went in feeling pretty confident—like, ‘I’ve got this, I won’t get scared.’ But as the night went on, that confidence definitely started to dwindle,” she laughs. “Luke [Hutchie] decided to introduce a surprise ‘guest’ that I wanted nothing to do with. I was terrified but… also couldn’t stop laughing. I guess that was my way of coping with the fear.”

When she’s not acting, Krista has a love for food and travel that keeps her constantly inspired. If given the chance to film anywhere in the world, she doesn’t hesitate.

“Belize. Omg, yes. Definitely Belize,” she beams. “I’d love to film somewhere scenic and sunny—someplace I might not have thought to visit on my own, but end up falling in love with because work brought me there. And you already know I’d be taste-testing every bit of Belizean cuisine!”

With Hell of a Summer poised for its debut, Krista Nazaire is stepping into a new chapter—one where she’s not only redefining her range but also proving that she’s a rising star to watch, both on and off the screen.